Self-driving cars are not a solution to climate change

 

Harvard Law School has concluded that a fleet of self-driving electric taxis could significantly increase, rather than reduce, energy consumption and emissions that contribute to climate change.

For years, it has been reported that self-driving electric taxis can help fight climate change by reducing air pollution. But supposedly zero-emissions vehicles can exacerbate many of the problems we face .

While the emissions of electric cars themselves are lower than those of electric cars that run on conventional fuels, the study says, we’ve shown that the massive deployment of self-driving electric taxis on America’s streets could lead to more trips, more miles traveled, and overall emissions. .

Transportation is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions, with the largest share coming from cars, personal cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs.

Replacing some of these flights with autonomous electric vehicles that operate as part of the passenger fleet could help offset some of these emissions.

But after checking the data from San Francisco. The team found that widespread use of electric taxis could counterbalance this energy savings. This is achieved by increasing the demand for attractions while reducing ride share.

This is largely due to the fact that the public considers it simple, cheap and environmentally friendly.

Self-driving cars are not the answer to the climate problem

Research has shown that emissions from transportation can rise. This is due to the beginning of road trips, which would not have been possible without the electric taxi. Coupled with an increase in the number of people shying away from ride-sharing, in favor of using electric taxis to travel alone.

The study challenged the auto industry’s claims that such vehicles have a positive environmental impact.

The media has been instrumental in promoting the idea that electric taxis can withstand the effects of climate change. With headlines like “How Self-Driving Cars Can Reduce Emissions”.

The Harvard team concluded that enhancing ride-sharing would go a long way toward improving the climate performance of future self-driving vehicles.

Today’s electric taxis need to be more than 50 percent cleaner than electric cars to cut emissions. This is in light of the expected increase in flights.